Cutting board assembly having cutting board storage recess

ABSTRACT

A handheld, portable cutting board assembly includes a cutting board and a frame configured to support the cutting board within a top portion thereof such that a major surface of the cutting board is exposed for use as a cutting surface. The frame also is further configured to receive and retain the cutting board within a bottom portion thereof for storage.

I. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cutting boards for use in cutting and preparing various food items aregenerally known. Further, cutting board assemblies including variouscomponents that aid in the cutting and preparation process are alsoknown. Examples of available cutting board assemblies include thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,271 to Collins, et al. and U.S. Pat.No. 6,651,970 to Scott.

Collins et al. discloses a cutting board assembly including a cuttingboard surface having a pair of legs supporting the surface, a containerfor holding food that has been cut or prepared and a container fordisposing of waste produced during the cutting. The containers areseparate components that may be detachably connected to the cuttingboard surface when it is being used. However, there is no accommodationfor storing the containers integrally with the cutting surface when itis not in use.

Collins et al. also discloses that the container for holding food thathas been cut or prepared includes hash marks for measuring purposes. Thehash marks begin near a base of the container and extend up a wall ofthe container such that food volume may be measured based on the depthof the food in the container. This method of measuring volume may bewell suited for liquid or granular food items that have a tendency tolevel out in a container due to gravity. However, cut food items, whichare typically more bulky, solid foods, such as onions, peppers, celery,and the like, do not share the tendency to level out along the base of acontainer. In contrast, such food items tend to stack in mounds.Accordingly, the “bottom-up” volume measuring method of Collins et al.is not ideal for the typical type of food items that are cut using acutting board.

Scott discloses a cutting board assembly with multiple interchangeablecutting surfaces. The available surfaces include a perforated cuttingsurface, a cutting surface including a door hinged to the surface and acold cutting surface. Both the perforated surface and the surface withthe door provide access to a holding container under the cuttingsurface. For the perforated surface, the holding container provides areceptacle for juices or other fluids associated with the food beingcut. For the surface with the hinged door, the holding containerprovides many uses. Examples include holding waste from the food beingcut and holding the food that has been cut until it is used. The holdingcontainer slides into a base of the cutting board assembly and may bestored therein when the cutting board assembly is not in use.Unfortunately, in order to access the holding container, the hinged doorof the surface must be lifted thereby reducing the surface areaavailable for cutting.

A cutting board assembly addressing the shortcomings of availablecutting board assemblies would be desirable. For instance, a cuttingboard assembly providing a cutting surface free from obstruction inaddition to containers for holding cut food that may be stored withinthe cutting board assembly when it is not in use would be advantageous.Further, a cutting board assembly providing a means for measuring thevolume of cut food that is better suited to bulky, solid foods would beadvantageous.

Such benefits are provided by the cutting board assembly disclosed, forexample, in Casale U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0108685,which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention claimedherein relates to yet a further improvement in the cutting boardassembly of the Casale reference (hereinafter the “Casale Cutting BoardAssembly”).

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features.

In a first aspect, a cutting board assembly includes: (a) a cuttingboard; and (b) a frame configured to support the cutting board on a topportion thereof. The frame is further configured to receive and retainthe cutting board within a top portion thereof such that a major surfaceof the cutting board is exposed for use as a cutting surface. The framealso is further configured to receive and retain the cutting boardwithin a bottom portion thereof.

In a feature of this aspect, the frame includes a peripheral rim thatbounds and defines an opening of the top portion of the frame, wherebythe cutting board, when is received within the top portion of the frame,is received within the opening defined by the peripheral rim, theperipheral rim serving to abut and retain the cutting board within thetop portion of the frame during use of the cutting board as a cuttingsurface, and wherein, when the cutting board is received within the topportion of the frame, the cutting board protrudes upwardly away from theperipheral rim of the upper portion of the frame.

In another feature of this aspect, the bottom portion of the frameincludes a plurality of retaining tabs that are configured to engage andretain the cutting board when the cutting board is received within thebottom portion of the frame. With respect to this feature, the retainingtabs are configured to suspend the cutting board when the cutting boardis received within the bottom portion of the frame, wherein the cuttingboard has a thickness “t” and, when the cutting board is received withinthe bottom portion of the frame, the cutting board is suspended within arecess defined by the bottom portion of the frame that has a depth “d”that is not less than the thickness “t” of the cutting board. In thisregard, the cutting board does not protrude below the frame so as tointerfere with the resting of the frame on a support surface, such as acountertop or a tabletop. Moreover, as shown in the drawing, the depth“d” preferably corresponds to a the depth of a cutout formed in eachside wall of the frame, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 11.

In another aspect, a cutting board assembly includes: first and secondcutting boards; and a frame. The frame supports the first cutting boardon a top portion thereof such that a major surface of the first cuttingboard is exposed for use as a cutting surface. The frame also receivesand retains the second cutting board within a bottom portion thereof forstorage, wherein the second cutting board is suspended within the bottomportion of the frame.

In a feature of this aspect, the first cutting board assembly and thesecond cutting board assembly have the same dimensions but are made fromdifferent materials.

In another feature, the bottom portion of the frame includes a pluralityof retaining tabs that include, at distal ends thereof, grasping lips bywhich the second cutting board is suspended within the bottom portion ofthe frame once the cutting board has been inserted a sufficient extentwithin the bottom portion of the frame. Furthermore, the second cuttingboard may include one or more side channels or recesses in each ofopposed sides thereof, each of which receives a grasping lip of one ofthe retaining tabs for suspending the second cutting board within thebottom portion of the frame.

In another feature, the frame includes opposed end walls and opposedside walls that collectively define an opening in the bottom portion ofthe frame through which the second cutting board is received forstorage.

In still yet another feature, the bottom portion of the frame includes aplurality of retaining tabs that are configured to suspend the secondcutting board within the bottom portion of the frame.

With regard to this feature, each of the retaining tabs is L-shaped;pairs of the retaining tabs include first and second retaining tabs thatare arranged in opposing relation on opposed side walls of the frame;pairs of the retaining tabs include first and second retaining tabs thatare arranged in opposing relation on opposed end walls of the frame;none of the retaining tabs are located on the end walls of the frame;each of the retaining tabs are located proximate a bottom surface of theside walls; and the retaining tabs initially engage the second cuttingboard and resist insertion of the second cutting board within the bottomportion of the frame, and wherein the retaining tabs thereafterresiliently deform, upon sufficient force being applied, such that thesecond cutting board is received and retained by the retaining tabswithin the bottom portion of the frame.

With still further respect to this feature, the frame further includes aplurality of stops, each stop extending from a side wall or an end wallof the frame inwardly and engaging a major surface of the second cuttingboard to limit the extent to which the second cutting board may bereceived within the bottom portion of the frame when suspended thereinby the retaining tabs for storage.

With further respect to this feature, the retaining tabs include, atdistal ends thereof, grasping lips by which the second cutting board issuspended within the bottom portion of the frame once the cutting boardhas been inserted a sufficient extent within the bottom portion of theframe.

Additionally, with respect to this feature, the retaining tabs initiallyengage the second cutting board and resist insertion of the secondcutting board within the bottom portion of the frame, and the side wallsof the frame resiliently deform, upon sufficient force being applied,such that the second cutting board is received and retained by theretaining tabs within the bottom portion of the frame. In this regard,each retaining tab may include, at a distal end thereof, a grasping lipby which the second cutting board is retained within the bottom portionof the frame once the second cutting board has been inserted asufficient extent within the bottom portion of the frame.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of manufacturing acutting board assembly in accordance with the foregoing aspects andfeatures.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of using a cuttingboard assembly in accordance with the foregoing aspects and features.

In additional features of the foregoing aspects; the cutting boardassembly is handheld; the cutting board assembly is portable; thecutting board assembly comprises a resilient, semirigid plasticmaterial; the frame of the cutting board assembly consists of a singlepiece of material; and/or the cutting board assembly includes a framethat is formed in an injection molding process.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherincludes the various possible combinations of such aspects and features.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionwith reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end perspective view of the Casale Cutting Board Assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the Casale Cutting Board Assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side perspective view of the Casale Cutting BoardAssembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the first end of the frame of the CasaleCutting Board Assembly, shown with the first container removed;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the second end of the frame of FIG. 4, shownwith the second container removed;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first container of the CasaleCutting Board Assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second container of the CasaleCutting Board Assembly;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cutting board assembly in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, which embodiment representsan improvement to the Casale Cutting Board Assembly of FIG. 1-8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the cutting board assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the cutting board assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the cutting board assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the cutting board assembly of FIG. 9,wherein a cutting board is removably received and stored within a recessof the bottom of the frame in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 13, but wherein the cuttingboard has been removed from the recess in the bottom of the frame.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 is an end perspective view of the Casale Cutting Board Assembly10. FIG. 2 is a side view of the Casale Cutting Board Assembly 10 ofFIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded side perspective view of the CasaleCutting Board Assembly 10 of FIG. 1.

The Casale Cutting Board Assembly 10 is a self-contained system thatincludes a cutting board 12, a frame 14, a first container 16, and asecond container 18. The frame 14 is configured to support the cuttingboard 12 on a support platform 20 thereof. The frame 14 is furtherconfigured to support the first container 16 and second container 18such that they may move between a retracted position, wherein thecontainers 16,18 are substantially disposed interior to the frame 14,and a protracted position, wherein the containers 16,18 aresubstantially disposed exterior to the frame 14. The first and secondcontainers 16,18 retract and protract from opposite ends 22,24 of theframe 14, with the first container 16 corresponding with a first end 22of the frame 14 and the second container 18 corresponding with a secondend 24 of the frame 14.

The cutting board 12 is rectangular, having sides 30 disposed oppositeone another and ends 32 disposed opposite one another. The cutting board12 has a thickness defined between a top surface 26 and a bottom surface28 thereof. Further, the cutting board 12 is generally planar with anobstruction-free top surface 26. When used, the cutting board 12 restson the support platform 20 of the frame 14. Further, the cutting board12 is easily removed from the cutting board assembly 10. A user simplylifts the cutting board 12 from the support platform 20 to remove it.This feature enables easy cleaning of the cutting board 12. For example,the cutting board 12 may be removed and washed in a sink or a dishwasherand then replaced on the frame 14. Further, the Casale Cutting BoardAssembly 10 can be used with multiple cutting boards. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a secondary cutting board 112 is shown being interchangeablewith the primary cutting board 12. The cutting boards 12,112 preferablyhave the same dimensions but are constructed from different materials.Exemplary materials include wood and various plastics.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 14 includes the generally planar,rectangular support platform 20 having sides 34 disposed opposite oneanother and ends 36,38 disposed opposite one another and two side walls40 disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with one anotheralong opposite sides 34 of the platform 20. The support platform 20 isoriented generally orthogonal to the side walls 40 and is mounted to theside walls 40 near top edges 42 thereof. A first end 36 of the supportplatform 20 corresponds with the first end 22 of the frame 14, andsimilarly, a second end 38 of the support platform 20 corresponds withthe second end 24 of the frame 14. The side walls 40 of the frame 14generally define a width of the frame 14. The ends 22,24 of the frame 14generally define a length of the frame 14, and the height of the sidewalls 40 generally defines the height of the frame 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each side wall 40 has a bottom edge 44disposed opposite to a top edge 42, with the bottom edge 44 resting on asurface on which the frame 14 is placed. The side walls 40 slope in ageneral inward direction relative to one another from the bottom edges44 to the top edges 42 thereof such that the bottom edges 44 of the sidewalls 40 are disposed further apart from one another than the top edges42. As such, the width of the frame 14 narrows from the bottom edges 44of the side walls 40 to the top edges 42 of the side walls 40.

The support platform 20 is recessed a small depth within the frame 14thereby creating a recessed area 46 within which the cutting board 12may fit. The depth of the recessed area 46 generally corresponds to thethickness of the cutting board 12 such that when the cutting board 12 isplaced in the recessed area 46, the side walls 40 of the frame 14enclose side edges of the cutting board 12. As shown in FIG. 1, thebottom of the cutting board 12 is enclosed and retained by the sidewalls 40 of the frame 14; however, the top of the cutting board 12 doesextends above the top edges 42 of the side walls 40.

Each side wall 40 further includes an indentation 48 disposed centrallyalong a length of the side wall 40. A side handle 50 is attached to eachside wall 40 in perpendicular covering relation to each indentation 48,leaving a recess behind the handle 50. The indentation 48 provides spacefor a person's hand to grasp the side handle 50. The side handles 50provide convenient, easy means to pick up and carry the Casale CuttingBoard Assembly 10. Additionally, each side wall 40 further includes acentrally disposed notched area 52 in the top edge 42 thereof. Thenotched area 52 is dimensioned to accommodate fingers of a person's handsuch that the person may more easily grasp the cutting board 12 forremoval from the frame 14 using the notched area 52.

FIGS. 4-6 provide more detailed views of the frame 14. Moreparticularly, FIG. 4 is an end view of the first end 22 of the frame 14,shown with the first container 16 removed. FIG. 5 is an end view of thesecond end 24 of the frame 14, shown with the second container 18removed, and FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the frame 14. The first andsecond ends 22,24 of the frame 14 include end members 54 that areintegrally connected to the side walls 40 and disposed generallyorthogonally to the side walls 40. Each of the end members 54 comprisesan elongate connection arm 58 having opposite ends and opposite sides,an interior side 60 and an exterior side 62. The end members 54 areconnected to the side walls 40 such that the interior sides 60 of theconnection arms 58 are nearly vertically aligned with the ends 36,38 ofthe support platform 20, with the interior sides 60 of the connectionarms 58 being disposed slightly outside or exterior to the ends 36,38 ofthe support platform 20.

Bottom surfaces 64 of the connection arms 58 rest against or adjacentthe surface on which the frame 14 is placed, such as a kitchen counter.The end members 54 transition into joint panels 66 that extend upwardlyfrom the ends of each of the connection arms 58. The joint panels 66 aredimensioned to integrally connect the end members 54 to the side walls40 with a smooth sloping, aesthetically pleasing transition. As shown,for example, in FIG, 4, the panels 66 have a respective exterior surface68 that matches the slope of the side walls 40. They further have arespective interior surface 70 that connects with a top surface 72 ofthe connection arm 58 at each end 22,24 of the frame 14 to create anopening 74, having a generally “U”-shaped rim, at each end 22,24 of theframe 14.

As stated previously, the first end 22 and the second end 24 each have arespective end member 54 integrally connected to the side walls 40.However, each end has a unique feature that is not present in theopposite end. With each end 22,24, the unique feature aids inaccommodating the container 16,18 associated with the particular end22,24. For example, the first end 22 is configured to accommodate thefirst container 16. More specifically, a portion 76 of the first end 36of the support platform 20 is cut away. The cut away portion 76 isdimensioned to accept a feature of the first container 16 therein whenthe first container 16 is in the retracted position.

Likewise, the second end 24 is configured to accommodate the secondcontainer 18. More specifically, a planar partition 78 extendsdownwardly from the second end 38 of the support platform 20 inorthogonal relation to the support platform 20. As shown in FIG. 5, thepartition 78 extends downwardly into the opening 74 at the second end 24of the frame 14 and terminates near the top surface 72 of the connectionarm 58. A periphery 79 of the partition 78 mimics the shape of the rimof the opening 74. As such, a generally “U”-shaped slot or gap 80 isformed between the partition 78 and the rim of the opening 74 at thesecond end 24 of the frame 14. The slot or gap 80 is configured toreceive the second container 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, a central dividing wall 82 extends downwardly from abottom surface 84 of the support platform 20. The dividing wall 82provides greater stability to the frame 14 and physically separates thefirst container 16 from the second container 18 when they are in theretracted position. The dividing wall 82 also separates the frame 14into a first portion 86 and a second portion 88, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the first portion 86 of the frame 14 has afirst pair of slots 90 formed in the support platform 20 adjacent andaligned lengthwise with the side walls 40 of the frame 14. A supportledge 92 depends downwardly from an exterior side of each slot 90. Eachsupport ledge 92 has a vertical component 94 and a horizontal component96, with the vertical component 94 connecting the ledge 92 to thesupport platform 20 and the horizontal component 96 extendingorthogonally from the vertical component 94. Each support ledge 92includes a catch 98 disposed at an end of the horizontal component 96near the central dividing wall 82. In addition, a rail 100 dependsdownwardly from an interior side of each slot 90. The support ledge 92and the rail 100 of each slot 90 define a sliding space 102 in which thefirst container 16 may fit, thereby enabling the first container 16 toslide between the retracted position and the protracted position. Thecatches 98 of the support ledges 92 help retain the first container 16in the retracted position thereby preventing the first container 16 frominadvertently moving from the retracted position to the protractedposition.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second portion 88 of the frame 14similarly has a second pair of slots 104 formed in the support platform20 adjacent and aligned lengthwise with the side walls 40 of the frame14. A support ledge 106 depends downwardly from an exterior side of eachslot of the second pair of slots 104. Each support ledge 106 has avertical component 108 and a horizontal component 110, with the verticalcomponent 108 connecting the ledge 106 to the support platform 20 andthe horizontal component 110 extending orthogonally from the verticalcomponent 108. Each support ledge 106 includes a catch 112 disposed atan end of the vertical component 108 near the central dividing wall 82.In addition, a rail 114 depends downwardly from an interior side of eachslot of the second pair of slots 104. The support ledge 106 and the rail114 of each slot define a sliding space 116 in which the secondcontainer 18 may fit, thereby enabling the second container 18 to slidebetween the retracted position and the protracted position. The catches112 of the support ledges 106 help retain the second container 18 in theretracted position, thereby preventing the container 18 frominadvertently moving from the retracted position to the protractedposition. The frame 14 further includes feet 118 with rubber insertsdisposed at each of four corners of the frame 14. The feet 118 are shownin FIGS. 2-6. Alternatively, the feet 118 may be removed as illustratedin FIGS. 4-5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first container 16. The firstcontainer 16 has a bottom 200 and oppositely disposed side walls 202 andoppositely disposed end walls 204, 206 extending from a periphery 208 ofthe bottom 200 thereby defining a holding area 210 in which food itemsmay be placed. The side walls 202 are shorter in length than the endwalls 204,206 and define a width of the container 16, and the end walls204,206 define a length of the container 16. The walls 202,204,206 ofthe container 16 have lower edges 212, which are connected to the bottom200 of the container 16, and upper edges 214, which form a periphery 216about a top of the container 16. Because the container 16 is to beretracted and protracted from the first end 22 of the frame 14, thecontainer 16 is oriented such that the side walls 202 of the container16 are adjacent the side walls 40 of the frame 14 when the container 16is in the retracted position. In this orientation, the container 16 hasan exterior end wall 206 and an interior end wall 204. The exterior endwall 206 has a gripping element 218 extending there from. The grippingelement 218 aids in moving the container 16 between the retracted andprotracted positions. In this embodiment, the gripping element 218comprises a handle.

The exterior end wall 206 also has a measuring element 220 connected toit. The measuring element 220 is aligned widthwise with the exterior endwall 206 and has measurement increments 222 marked thereon. Themeasurement increments 222 are indented hash marks made in quarter cupincrements with numerical indicators provided at the hash marksdesignating whole cup increments. When the first container 16 is in theretracted position, the measuring element 220 fits into the cutawayportion 76 at the first end 36 of the support platform 20 such that theexterior end wall 206 of container 16 is flush with the end member 54 atthe first end 22 of the frame 14.

A ledge 224 having a lip 226 at a rim thereof extends around the topperiphery 216 of the container 16. Portions 228 of the ledge 224 thatcorrespond with the side walls 202 of the container 16 are configured tobe slidably supported by the support ledges 92 and rails 100 of thefirst slots 90 of the frame 14. More specifically, each side wall ledgeportion 228 slides into the sliding space 102 between the support ledge92 and rail 100 of the appropriate slot 90 thereby enabling the firstcontainer 16 to slide between a retracted position and a protractedposition. The lip 226 at the rim of the container ledge 224 hooks ontothe catch 98 of the support ledge 92 when the container 16 is in theretracted position, thereby preventing the container 16 frominadvertently sliding to the protracted position. However, when a userpulls the handle or other gripping element 218 of the container 16, thelip 226 is pulled over the catch 98 and the container 16 may be moved tothe protracted position.

When the container 16 is in the retracted position, the holding area 210is completely covered by the support platform 20 of the frame 14 and theexterior end wall 206 is flush with the exterior surface 62 of the endmember 54 at the first end 22 of the frame 14. The exterior side wall206 and the handle 218 attached thereto are accessible when the firstcontainer 16 is in the retracted position. When the container 16 is inthe protracted position, the entire holding area 210 is accessible. Thecontainer 16 remains connected to the frame 14 when it is in theprotracted position, with the ledge 224 of the interior end wall 204connected to the frame 14 at this point. It should be noted that thecontainer 16 may be detached from the frame 14 as desirable. Suchdetachability allows the container 16 to be easily cleaned or moved to adifferent location if the circumstances dictate it. The container 16 maybe easily reconnected to the frame 14 by sliding the ledge side wallportions 228 into the sliding space 102 of the appropriate first slots90.

The container 16 further includes a first partition 230 and a secondpartition 232, with each having upper 234, side 236 and lower 238peripheral edges. The partitions 230,232 are configured so that they mayfit within the container 16 when it is in both the retracted andprotracted positions. The partitions 230,232 are identical, so only onewill be described herein. The partition is configured to transect theholding area 210 of the container 16 lengthwise thereby enabling avolume of the holding area 210 to be varied with movement of thepartition. The lower 238 and side 236 peripheral edges are dimensionedto fit adjacent an interior surface of the holding area 210 when thepartition is placed in the holding area 210. When the partition is inthe container 16, the upper edge 234 is aligned with the top 216 of thecontainer 16. The upper edge 234 meets the side edges 236 at uppercorners of the partition, comprising an interior upper corner 240 and anexterior upper corner 242.

The exterior upper corner 242 of the partition has a measurementindicator 246 provided thereon. The measurement indicator 246 is anarrow. Because the partition may be moved axially along the width of thecontainer, the measurement indicator 246 of the partition may be alignedwith the hash marks 222 of the measurement element 220 to enable a userto determine a volume of food items placed in the container 16. It willbe obvious that in order to accurately measure the volume of food, thepartition should be slid toward the appropriate side wall of thecontainer 16 until the food items in the container 16 completely fillthe volume enclosed by the partition in the holding area 210. It willalso be obvious that because there are two partitions, up to threeholding areas or “compartments” may be defined in the first container 16by the partitions 230,232, i.e., a first compartment being defined by afirst side wall 202 and the first partition 230; a second, centralcompartment being defined by the first and second partitions 230,232,and a third compartment being defined by the second partition 232 and asecond side wall 202. The volume of food items placed in the multiplecompartments may be determined in a similar fashion as described above.Simple subtraction may be needed to determine the volume in the centralcompartment if one of the partitions 230,232 is not aligned with a wholecup marking increment.

The measurement indicator 246 is located on an extension piece 248 thatextends from the exterior upper corner 242 of the partition. Theextension piece 248 is supported on the ledge 224 of the exterior sidewall 206 of the container 16. As such, the extension piece 248 providesfurther stabilization for the partition when it is placed in thecontainer 16. It is contemplated that the extension piece 248 may have alip depending downwardly there from that would fit under the lip of theledge 224. It is further contemplated that the partition may include ahooking element that fits over and is supported by the ledge 224 of theinterior end wall 204 of the container 16 such that the partition mayslide axially along the ledge 224 from one side wall 202 of thecontainer 16 to the other.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second container 18. The secondcontainer 18 has a bottom 300 and oppositely disposed side walls 302 andan exterior end wall 304 extending from a periphery 306 of the bottom300 to define a holding area 308 of the second container 18 in whichfood items may be placed. An interior end 320 of the second container 18is not enclosed; therefore, the second container 18 is in the form of ascoop. The side walls 302 define a width of the container 18, and theexterior end wall 304, along with the partition 78 of the frame 14,define a length of the container 18. The relationship of the framepartition 78 with the second container 18 will be described in greaterdetail herein below.

The walls 302,304 of the container 18 have lower edges 310, which areconnected to the bottom 300 of the container 18, and upper edges 312,which form a partial periphery about a top 314 of the container 18.Because the container 18 is retracted and protracted from the second end24 of the frame 14, the container 18 is oriented such that the sidewalls 302 of the container 18 are adjacent the side walls 40 of theframe 14 when the container 18 is in the retracted position.

Similarly to the first container 16, the exterior end wall 304 of thesecond container 18 has a gripping element 316 extending there from. Thegripping element 316 aids in moving the container 18 between theretracted and protracted positions. In this embodiment, the grippingelement 316 is a handle. In addition, the second container 18 has agroove 318 formed in the bottom 300 thereof near the interior end 320 ofthe container 18. The groove 318 extends widthwise along the bottom 300of the container 18 and is intended to capture any liquids or fluidsassociated with food items placed in the second container 18.

A ledge 322 extends orthogonally from the upper edge 312 of each sidewall 302 of the container. A notched recess 324 is formed near aninterior end 326 of each ledge 322. The ledges 322 are configured to beslidably supported by the support ledges 106 and rails 114 of the secondslots 104 of the frame 14. More specifically, each side wall ledge 322slides into the sliding space 116 between the support ledge 106 and rail114 of the appropriate slot 104 thereby enabling the second container 18to slide between a retracted position and a protracted position. Thenotched recess 324 of each ledge 322 hooks on the catch 112 of thesupport ledge 106 when the container 18 is in the retracted positionthereby preventing the container 18 from inadvertently sliding to theprotracted position. However, when a user pulls the handle or othergripping element 316 of the container 18, the notched recess 324 ispulled past the catch 112 and the container 18 may be moved to theprotracted position.

When the second container 18 is in the retracted position, the holdingarea 308 is covered by the support platform 20 of the frame 14. Further,most of the second container 18 is disposed interior to the frame 14,with only the exterior end wall 304 and handle 316 being accessible.When the second container 18 is in the protracted position, the holdingarea 308 is accessible. Further, in the protracted position, most of thesecond container 18 is disposed exterior to the frame 14. The secondcontainer 18 remains connected to the frame 14 in the protractedposition, with some portion of the side wall ledges 322 being slidablyfitted in the sliding spaces 116 between the support ledges 106 andrails 114 of the second slots 104 of the frame 14. Similarly to thefirst container 16, the second container 18 may be detached from theframe 14 if desired. It may be easily reconnected to the frame 14 bysliding the side wall ledges 322 back into the sliding spaces 116 of thesecond slots 104.

The side wall ledges 322 have measurement increments 328 marked thereon.The measurement increments 328 are indented hash marks made in quartercup increments with numerical indicators provided at the hash marksdesignating whole cup increments. The measurement increments 328 allow auser to determine the volume of food items placed in the secondcontainer 18.

The frame partition 78 at the second end 24 of the frame 14 has arelationship with the second container 18. When the second container 18is connected to the frame 18, the side walls 302 and bottom 300 thereoffit within the U-shaped slot 80 at the second end 24 of the frame 14. Assuch, the frame partition 78 provides an enclosing interior end wall forthe second container 18 when it is connected to the frame 14. Therefore,for the second container 18, the retracted and protracted positionsdesignate the minimum and maximum volume that the holding area 308 maycontain. The volume of the holding area 308 of the second container 18is made variable by the frame partition 78 when the second container 18is slid inwardly and outwardly relative to the frame 14. Further, thevolume of food items placed in the container 18 may be measured usingthe measuring increments 328 marked on the side ledges 322 of thecontainer 18. The measurement should be read at the point where theframe partition 78 transects the measuring increment 328. It will beobvious that in order to accurately measure the volume of food, thecontainer 18 should be slid inwardly toward the frame 14 until the fooditems in the container 18 completely fill the volume of the holding area308, i.e., the food items should cover the bottom 300 of the container18 and fill the volume such that they reach the top of the container. Itis at this point that the measurement increment 328 at the intersectionof the frame partition 78 should be read.

In use, the Casale Cutting Board Assembly 10 may be used with thecontainers 16,18 in their retracted or protracted positions. Forillustrative purposes, use of the cutting board assembly 10 will bedescribed with the first and second containers 16,18 in the protractedposition. A person using the cutting board assembly 10 places a fooditem to be cut on the cutting board 12 and begins cutting it with anavailable cutting instrument such as a knife. As food items are cut, theuser may slide cut food items into either the first 16 or the secondcontainer 18. This action clears off the cutting board 12 so that itstop surface 26 is unobstructed for further cutting. The cut food itemsare conveniently held in one of the containers 16,18 until they areneeded.

In one exemplary scenario, assume that the cut food items have been slidfrom the cutting board surface 26 to the second container 18. The secondcontainer 18 may be slid inwardly or outwardly from its protractedposition until the cut food items fill the volume of the holding area308. The volume of cut food items may then be determined by reading themeasurement increment 328 at the point where the frame partition 78transects the measurement increment 328 on one of the side wall ledges322.

In another exemplary scenario, assume that the cut food items have beenslid from the cutting board surface 26 to the first container 16. Morespecifically, the cut food items have been moved to a first holding areaof the first container 16. Then a different food item is cut into piecesand this second cut food item is slid from the cutting board surface 26to a second holding area of the first container 16. The first cut fooditem is separated from the second cut food item in the first container16 by the first partition 230. The volumes of each cut food item may bedetermined using the measurement increments 222 of the measuring element220 and the measurement indicators 246 of the partitions 230,232.

With the cutting board assembly 10, up to four different kinds of fooditems may be cut and stored separately in the first and secondcontainers 16,18. In addition, the volume of each of these four cut fooditems may be measured while they are stored in the containers 16,18.

Often, a food item is cut so that it may be used as an ingredient in arecipe. The food item may need to be added to other ingredients in amixing bowl or in a pot, pan or other cooking container. In thissituation, the cutting board assembly 10 may be used to cut the fooditem, measure the food item, and transport the food item to the mixingbowl or cooking container where it is needed. The cut food item may betransported by moving the entire cutting board assembly 10 to the mixingcontainer or cooking container, or more conveniently, may be transportedby removing the container 16,18 in which the cut food item is held andpouring or dumping the cut food item from the cutting board assemblycontainer 16,18 into the mixing container or cooking container.

In addition, the first container 16 may serve as a storage compartmentfor food items that have been cut. The first container 16 may store fooditems therein in its retracted positions and, alternatively, the firstcontainer 16 may serve as a storage compartment itself, separate fromthe frame 14, especially when covered with a lid or flexible sheet ofmaterial. Further, it is contemplated that the first container 16 may beused for storage of tools such as knives, peelers, and the like when thecutting board assembly 10 is not being used and the first container 16is retained in the retracted position within the frame 14 of the cuttingboard assembly 10.

In a contemplated feature of one or more preferred embodiments, thecontainers 16,18 may be held in the protracted position with flex tabs.With this feature, the containers 16,18 may be removed from the frame 14by pressing down the flex tabs and detaching the containers 16,18.

The Casale Cutting Board Assembly 10 avoids messy transitions that mayoccur in moving cut food from the cutting board 12 to a measuringcontainer and then again to a cooking or mixing container. The CasaleCutting Board Assembly 10 represents a self-contained system thatprovides a cutting board 12 free from obstruction; provides a container16 for holding cut foods that may be stored within the Casale CuttingBoard Assembly 10; and provides a means for measuring the volume of cutfood that is well suited to bulky, solid food items.

Turning to FIGS. 9-14, an embodiment of the cutting board assembly 1000represents an improvement to the above described Casale Cutting BoardAssembly 10. In this respect, and as illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, thestructure of the cutting board assembly 1000 is very similar to that ofthe Casale Cutting Board Assembly 10. Accordingly, the followingdescription of the cutting board assembly 1000 will focus on thedifferences in structure over the Casale Cutting Board Assembly 10,whereby the improvement is achieved.

Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 13-14, the cutting board assembly1000 includes a plurality of retaining tabs 1002 that are disposedproximate the bottom 1004 of the side walls 1006 of the frame 1008 ofthe cutting board assembly 1000. The retaining tabs 1002 are designed toreleasably receive and retain a cutting board 12 that is received withina cutting board storage recess 1010 defined by the frame 1008, asdescribed in greater detail below. The cutting board 12 may be theprimary cutting board that, when not in use, is removably receivedwithin the bottom of the frame for storage. Alternatively, the cuttingboard 12 may be a second cutting board. In such case, the cutting boardpreferably 12 is conveniently stored within the frame 1008 while anothercutting board is used. In either case, the cutting board preferably isreversible, whereby either of the two major rectangular surfaces 26 ofthe cutting board 12 may be used as a cutting surface.

The retaining tabs 1002 preferably constitute a portion of the frame1008 that is formed when the frame 1008 is formed during an injectionmolding process. Furthermore, each retaining tab 1002 preferably isgenerally L-shaped and has two generally planar portions disposed inangular relation such that a first portion of each retaining tab1002—the connecting portion 1012—is fixedly attached and extends ingenerally parallel relation to the bottom planar surface 1004 of theside walls 1006. Furthermore, the connecting portion 1012 may be locatedslightly offset to the bottom planar surface 1004 of the side walls 1006such that the connecting portion 1012 and the bottom planar surface 1004are not generally coplanar. The connecting portion 1012 extendsinwardly, away from the respective side wall 1006 of which it is aportion, into the cutting board storage recess 1010 defined by thebottom of the frame 1008. The connecting portion 1012 is generallyoriented in parallel with a planar surface on which the cutting boardassembly 1000 is placed.

In contrast, the second portion of the retaining tab 1002—the graspingportion 1014—extends away from a top of the frame 1008, i.e., in adirection generally toward a surface on which the cutting board assembly1000 is placed (such as a tabletop or a countertop). The graspingportion 1014 further includes a C-shaped grasping lip 1016 at a distalend thereof that generally curves toward and then back away from theinterior of the cutting board storage recess 1010 defined by the frame1008.

As perhaps best seen in FIG. 11, the cutting board 12 has a thickness“t” that is less than or equal to a depth “d” of the cutting boardstorage recess 1010 defined by the frame 1008, whereby the cutting board12 is suspended within the bottom portion of the frame 1008 and does notprotrude below the frame 1008 so as to interfere with the resting of theframe on a support surface, such as a countertop or tabletop. The depthto which the cutting board 12 may be received within the cutting boardstorage recess 1010 preferably is defined by a plurality of stops 1018,which are shown in FIG. 14. Each stop 1018 preferably constitutes aportion of the frame 1008 that is formed when the frame 1008 is formedduring an injection molding process. Furthermore, each stop 1018 extendsinwardly from a side wall or an end wall—or corners therebetween—of theframe 1008 and engages the cutting board 12, precluding the depth towhich the cutting board 12 is received within the cutting board storagerecess 1010. The stops 1018 are shown in the form of tabs; however, thestops 1018 additionally may take the form of one or more ledgesextending inwardly from a side wall or an end wall—or cornerstherebetween—of the frame 1008 so as to engage the cutting board 12.

In use, a user simply presses a cutting board 26 into the cutting boardstorage recess 1010 defined by the frame 1008. The retaining tabs 1002are arranged such that retaining tabs 1002 engage one or both sides ofthe cutting board 12 as the cutting board 12 is pressed into the cuttingboard storage recess 1010 and, in particular, such that the graspingportions 1014 engage one or both side surfaces of the cutting board 12as the cutting board 12 is pressed into the cutting board storage recess1010. The engagement causes tension in the retaining tabs 1002 and, inturn, in the side walls 1006 of the frame 1008. In response, the sidewalls 1006 of the frame 1008 and/or the retaining tabs 1002 resilientlydeform (i.e., flex or bend) as the cutting board 12 is pressed into thecutting board storage recess 1010.

Moreover, when the cutting board 12 is pressed into the cutting boardstorage recess 1010 a sufficient extent, with enough force to press thecutting board 26 beyond the grasping lips 1016 of the retaining tabs1002, the grasping lips 1016 of the retaining tab 1002 are caused toextend beyond an edge of the sides of the cutting board 12 as the sidewalls 1006 of the frame 1008 and/or the retaining tabs 1002 partiallymove back toward their disengaged position, with each grasping lip 1016engaging the same major surface 26 of the cutting board 12. In so doing,the cutting board 12 is received within the cutting board storage recess1010 in a “snap-fit” frictional manner. The resulting engagement by eachretaining tab 1002 with the same major surface 26 of the cutting board12 acts to retain the cutting board 12 within the cutting board storagerecess 1010 of the frame 1008.

The cutting board 26 will remain suspended and stored within the frame1008 until a user wishes to remove it. When so desired, the user simplypulls the cutting board 12 out of the cutting board storage recess 1010and, more particularly, the cutting board 12 is pulled against theretaining tabs 1002. Upon a sufficient force, the side walls 1006 of theframe 1008 and/or the retaining tabs 1002 resiliently deform (i.e., flexor bend) a sufficient amount to release the cutting board 12 and permitthe cutting board 12 to be withdrawn from the cutting board storagerecess 1010.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cutting board may includeone or more side channels or recesses formed in each of opposed sides ofthe cutting board 12 that are configured for receiving the grasping lips1016 of the retaining tabs 1002 when the cutting board is positionedwithin the cutting board storage recess 1010. In such instance, thegrasping lips 1016 will be received within the channels or recesses ofthe sides of the cutting board, thereby retaining the cutting board 12within the cutting board storage recess of the frame 1008.

Still yet other mechanisms and structures may be utilized in accordancewith the invention for retaining the cutting board within the cuttingboard recess of the frame such that the cutting board may be insertedwithin and withdrawn from the bottom of the frame for convenientstorage. The foregoing merely represent the preferred embodimentthereof.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1. A cutting board assembly, comprising: (a) a cutting board; (b) a frame having a peripheral rim that bounds and defines an opening of a top portion of the frame; and (c) one or more drawers each having a length, a width, and a depth defining a containment space for containing food therein; (d) wherein the frame is configured to receive and retain the cutting board within a top portion thereof such that (i) the cutting board is supported on a support platform, (ii) a major surface of the cutting board is exposed for use as a cutting surface, (iii) the peripheral rim abuts and retains the cutting board within the top portion of the frame during use of the cutting board as a cutting surface, (iv) the cutting board protrudes upwardly away from the peripheral rim, and (v) the cutting board is removable via the opening defined by the peripheral rim; (e) wherein the frame is further configured to receive and retain the cutting board within a bottom portion thereof; and (f) wherein each drawer is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which the drawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered.
 2. The cutting board assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the frame includes a plurality of retaining tabs that are configured to engage and retain the cutting board, and suspend the cutting board, when the cutting board is received within the bottom portion of the frame.
 3. The cutting board assembly of claim 2, wherein the cutting board has a thickness “t” and, when the cutting board is received within the bottom portion of the frame, the cutting board is suspended within a recess defined by the bottom portion of the frame that has a depth “d” that is not less than the thickness “t” of the cutting board, whereby the cutting board does not protrude below the frame so as to interfere with the resting of the frame on a support surface.
 4. A cutting board assembly, comprising: (a) first and second cutting boards; (b) a frame; and (c) one or more drawers each having a length, a width, and a depth defining a containment space for containing food therein (d) wherein the frame supports the first cutting board on a top portion thereof such that a major surface of the first cutting board is exposed for use as a cutting surface; (e) wherein the frame receives and retains for storage the second cutting board within a bottom portion thereof, the second cutting board being suspended within the bottom portion of the frame; (f) wherein the frame includes opposed end walls and opposed side walls that collectively define an opening in the bottom portion of the frame through which the second cutting board is received for storage; and (g) wherein each drawer is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which the drawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered.
 5. The cutting board assembly of claim 4, wherein the first cutting board and the second cutting board have the same dimensions but are made from different materials.
 6. The cutting board assembly of claim 4, wherein the bottom portion of the frame includes a plurality of retaining tabs that include, at distal ends thereof, grasping lips by which the second cutting board is suspended within the bottom portion of the frame once the cutting board has been inserted a sufficient extent within the bottom portion of the frame, and wherein the second cutting board includes one or more side channels or recesses in each of opposed sides thereof, each of which receiving a grasping lip of one of the retaining tabs for suspending the second cutting board within the bottom portion of the frame.
 7. The cutting board assembly of claim 4, wherein the bottom portion of the frame includes a plurality of retaining tabs that are configured to suspend the second cutting board within the bottom portion of the frame.
 8. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the retaining tabs is L-shaped.
 9. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein pairs of the retaining tabs include first and second retaining tabs that are arranged in opposing relation on opposed side walls of the frame.
 10. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein pairs of the retaining tabs include first and second retaining tabs that are arranged in opposing relation on opposed end walls of the frame.
 11. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein none of the retaining tabs are located on the end walls of the frame.
 12. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of stops, each stop extending from a side wall or an end wall of the frame inwardily and engaging a major surface of the second cutting board to limit the extent to which the second cutting board may be received within the bottom portion of the frame when suspended therein by the retaining tabs for storage.
 13. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the retaining tabs are located proximate a bottom surface of the side walls.
 14. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein the retaining tabs initially engage the second cutting board and resist insertion of the second cutting board within the bottom portion of the frame, and wherein the retaining tabs thereafter resiliently deform, upon sufficient force being applied, such that the second cutting board is received and retained by the retaining tabs within the bottom portion of the frame.
 15. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein the retaining tabs include, at distal ends thereof, grasping lips by which the second cutting board is suspended within the bottom portion of the frame once the cutting board has been inserted a sufficient extent within the bottom portion of the frame.
 16. The cutting board assembly of claim 7, wherein the retaining tabs initially engage the second cutting board and resist insertion of the second cutting board within the bottom portion of the frame, and wherein the side walls of the frame resiliently deform, upon sufficient force being applied, such that the second cutting board is received and retained by the retaining tabs within the bottom portion of the frame.
 17. The cutting board assembly of claim 16, wherein each retaining tab includes, at a distal end thereof, a grasping lip by which the second cutting board is retained within the bottom portion of the frame once the second cutting board has been inserted a sufficient extent within the bottom portion of the frame.
 18. A cutting board assembly, comprising: (a) a cutting board; (b) a frame having (i) a peripheral rim that bounds and defines an opening of a top portion of the frame in which the cutting board is receivable for use as a cutting surface, and (ii) opposed end walls and opposed side walls that collectively define an opening in a bottom portion of the frame through which the cutting board is receivable for storage; and (c) one or more drawers each having a length, a width, and a depth defining a containment space for containing food therein; (d) wherein the frame is configured to (i) support the cutting board on a support platform such that a major surface of the cutting board is exposed for use as a cutting surface, and (ii) receive and retain, for storage, the cutting board within the bottom portion of the frame such that the cutting board is suspended within the bottom portion; and (e) wherein each drawer is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which the drawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered. 